The document discusses the integration of humans and autonomous systems in military training and operations. It addresses trends in how new recruits learn differently than past generations, the increasing role of simulation and gaming in training, and developing interfaces between humans and machines. While technology allows new capabilities, the summary cautions that systems must be carefully tested and developed to ensure humans understand machine decisions and can take control if needed, as overreliance on automation could have dangerous consequences. Maintaining the strengths of both human judgment and autonomous functions will be important to maximize their synergies.

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Digital Soldier
Andy Fawkes
FIMechE
3rd Annual SMi
Military Robotics and
Autonomous Systems
2/3 September 2020

2. Synergies…
Human(s)
Simulation
Autonomous
System

3. Outline
•The Soldier
•Simulation and Gaming
•Human-Machine Interfaces
•Cautionary Tales

4. The
Soldier
• It is generally perceived that the newer recruits have different aspirations and learning styles to those of previous
generations. Recruitment and retention are significant issues in several nations so it is vital to understand what
recruits are seeking from a military career, how they learn best and how to maintain their motivation. Excellent
training, transferable skills and a working environment which supports diversity will become increasingly
important.
1/4

5. British Army
Age
Distribution
UK Defence Personnel Statistics - CBP7930, 12 June 2018

6. The Next Workforce
Wikipedia

7. 93% of Children Play
Video Games
Children's Commissioner for England (2019)

8. Tip of the Spear Innovation

9. Simulation
and Gaming
2/4

10. Why Use
Simulation
in
Training?

11. Simulation Now - Land, Sea, Air, Anywhere

12. Simulation
Trends
Unreal 5
(2021)
youtu.be/qC5KtatMcUw

13. Gaming Innovation
Apex Legends (Team-Based Battle Royale)
• Released 2019 - 50 Million Players Joined in One Month
• A novel ping system allows teammates to mark supplies,
locations, and enemies

14. XR

15. Virtual Reality in Land Training (VRLT) Pilot
2019
• The aim was to identify how Virtual Reality technology might
support future Army Team/Collective Training
• 30+ Trainees in VR
• Direct military involvement in the Pilot

16. VRLT Main Training Audience
Dismounts
Warrior
1
Warrior
2
Warrior
3
Challenger 2
Tank 31

17. “In Virtual Simulation
you look at the
Virtual World,
in VR you are in it”

18. See What the
Machine Sees
Through AR
(Augmented
Reality)
Iviz

19. Simulation
(VBS3)
Experimentation
Autonomous
Systems

20. Decision
Support
UK MoD
“Single
Synthetic
Environment”

21. Human
Machine
Interfaces
3/4

22. Voice
Controlled
Autonomous
Systems
UK
22
www.cervusdefence.com/case-
studies/exploring-voice-
controlled-autonomous-systems

23. Brain
Interface
23

24. Digital
Twins
Teslasuit

25. Tracking/Gaming/AI (@sonsandanceman3)

26. Netherlands
Army
Navigation
Belt
2020
Elitac
Wearables

27. Cautionary
Tales
4/4

28. My Feelings on Unmanned/Automation

29. Google
DeepMind
2019

30. Redundant
Pilots?
30
2016 2020

31. AI
Limitations

32. Monitoring Systems

33. Paul M Fitts (1951)
Human Engineering for an Effective Air Navigation and Traffic Control System
• “great caution be exercised in assuming that men can successfully monitor
complex automatic machines and take over if the machines break down”
• “engineers should seriously consider systems in which machines would
monitor men and prevent them from making dangerous mistakes”

34. Boeing 737 MAX
Ethiopian
Airlines Flight
302

35. The Human Needs to
Understand What the
Machine is Thinking?

36. Test & Train
Test & Train
Test & Train
…..
Test & Train
Human(s)
Simulation
Autonomous
System

37. The Human
Component
of Warfare
Adaptability, Imagination, Dexterity

38. Maximise
the
Strengths
of Both

39. Questions?
LinkedIn
andyfawkes
email
andy.fawkes@thinke.co.uk